GRE Vs. GMAT: What Are The Main Differences?

Before entering a graduate program, most people will probably not have heard anything about the GRE or the GMAT tests. Students must submit either a GRE score or a GMAT score when submitting an application for most graduate programs. Each test contains a quantitative, verbal and writing component.

GMAT is used mostly for business school applicants. GRE is generally used for other graduate majors. Some schools may give you the option to choose either test. In this case, choose the test that you feel most comfortable with.

Quantitative Component

The GRE test will provide an onscreen calculator to use during this component. The GMAT test does not allow the use of any calculator.

The GRE test’s multiple choice questions could potentially have more than one correct answer. All correct answers must be chosen to get the question correct. The GMAT test has traditional multiple choice questions where there is only one correct answer.

GRE has two additional sections to the quantitative component called Quantitative Comparison and Numeric Entry. GMAT has an additional section called Data Sufficiency.

Verbal Component

The GRE test and the GMAT test have only one section that is the same; Reading Comprehension. GRE has two other sections called Text Completion and Sentence Equivalence. GMAT has two additional sections called Critical Reasoning and Sentence Correction.

GMAT Additional Component

The GMAT test also has a component called Integrated Reasoning. It contains four types of questions that measure how well you can integrate data to solve problems. This includes the use of charts, graphs, tables and other data sets.

Scores

The GRE test gives three different score scales: a Quantitative score that is reported on a 130-170 score scale, a Verbal score that is reported on a 130-170 score scale, Analytical Writing score that is reported on a 0-6 score scale.

The GMAT test gives four different score scales: the Quantitative score that is reported on a 0-60 score scale, a Verbal score that is reported on a 0-60 score scale, a Total score that is reported on a 200-800 score scale, Analytical Writing score that is reported on a 0-6 score scale.

Price

The GRE test currently costs $195 to take. The GMAT test currently costs $250 to take.